Empty Bowls is an international movement to end hunger and food insecurity, but the charity operates at a local level. Organizers will hold the annual Asheville fundraiser to benefit MANNA FoodBank on Sept. 15.
Dual local exhibits examine the Gee’s Bend quilts through prints
It’s been 12 years since the art world first heard about Boykin, Ala. — better known as Gee’s Bend. This small, unincorporated community tucked deep within a river bend is home to the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective, a multigenerational group of African-American women made famous by the Houston Museum of Fine Arts’ 2002 show The […]
LAAFF returns with an eye toward the future
“Never say die,” reads the poster for the Lexington Avenue Art and Fun Festival, which returns Sunday, Aug. 31, after a one-year hiatus. When the beloved (and, in recent years, beleaguered) event’s return was announced earlier this summer, it was as a last hurrah. Organizers Kitty Love (LAAFF’s co-founder, who’s now executive director of the […]
In Photos: Big Love Festival
A downtown festival spread big local love on Sunday, featuring more than 150 local vendors, artists and organizations.
LAAFF announces schedule for Aug. 31 festival
Lexington Avenue Arts and Fun Festival returns on Sunday, Aug. 31 with a full day’s worth of music, art street theater, local vendors, food and drink and more. Festival planners just released the lineup, which includes more than a dozen bands on two stages, with an additional stage programmed by Lex 18 moonshine bar. The […]
Big Love Festival celebrates over 150 independent local businesses and organizations
As Sunday, Aug. 24, approaches, don’t be alarmed if you see two people at Pack Square Park taking tape measures to sidewalks and other structures. It’s just Big Love Festival co-organizers Brandy Bourne and Justin Rabuck ensuring that their event is meeting safety and venue guidelines. Now in its fourth year, Big Love evolved out of […]
Smart bets: Come to Leicester tour
“The welcome mat is out, refreshments are on the table, and we look forward to seeing you on Aug. 16 and 17,” says a press release for the Come to Leicester studio tour. More than 20 artists will open their doors for a free self-guided pottery tour through galleries in this scenic retreat just outside […]
Smart bets: Wood & Wine
Grovewood Gallery recently added an exhibition space dedicated to fine wood art. And how better to celebrate than with a toast? That’s the idea behind Wood & Wine, a showcase and celebration featuring contemporary sculptural and functional work. Included in the show is French artist Alain Mailland, “who specializes in green wood hollowing techniques,” according […]
Smart bets: Ali Douglass
There is something comfortingly familiar about Ali Douglass’ whimsical illustrations and paintings. It might be the eye-pleasing color combinations, charming characters and quirky cityscapes and scenes — or it might actually be that you’ve seen them before. Douglass has been illustrating for countless magazines and newspapers — including Seventeen, Martha Stewart, Glamour and The New […]
Smart bets web extra: Horse + Hero grand opening
If you haven’t stopped into Horse + Hero yet, here’s your written invitation. The art, craft and gallery space located at 14 Patton Ave. holds a grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 19. Horse + Hero is the brick-and-mortar retail space of The Big Crafty, The Big Day and Big Love founders Justin Rabuck and […]
Smart bets: The Big Crafty
Go local and bolster your DIY cred at the same time at The Big Crafty. There, artists and makers of all kinds will convene in downtown Asheville and sell their one-of-a-kind, handmade wares. “Our guiding principle is that buying handmade is good for the community, and our aim is to make doing so fun,” say the […]
Smart bets: Krista Allison + Hannah Dansie
Although the term “canoe” usually conjures images of river veneers and summer camp activities, in the case of fiber artist Krista Allison, the homophone Canoo equals soft toys from felted wool sweaters. “She now finds herself experimenting with other possibilities of the felting process, including shibori, machine stitching and hand embroidery … making vessels, wall […]
The Big Crafty spinoff: Horse and Hero opens downtown
Horse and Hero opened on Friday, June 13, next to Farm Burger, offering a new spot downtown to find unique indie arts and crafts and get to know local designers. A spinoff and sophisticated extension of the well-known community craft bazaar, The Big Crafty, the Horse and Hero is a “downtown showcase for boundary-pushing art and […]
The modern primitive: Firefly Gathering blends traditions
If you’re looking to learn how to make your own bow and arrow, weave a belt or carve a wooden spoon, the Firefly Gathering is the place to be. But organizers say this festival isn’t just for getting barefoot and singing by the campfire — it’s also a response to problems in our society and environment.
Smart Bets: Primordial forms
“The foundation for my work lies within the understanding of primordial forms and their purpose throughout history,” says glass artist Chad Holliday. He creates contemporary glass sculpture to communicate these timeless shapes, many of which are derived from European architecture and gothic cathedrals. Along with his solo exhibition, titled Primordial Forms, at the Bender Gallery, […]
Smart bets: Ancient Voices
“My art combines elements and sources to capture the essence of things that endure, things that last, ancient voices that speak to our hearts in modern times,” says Indianapolis-based wood artist Clay Foster. His fine-art wood sculptures will be displayed alongside local artist Brad Stroman’s contemporary realist paintings in an exhibition titled Ancient Voices. Stroman […]
Interwoven: Rural Life Museum celebrates region’s crafts, ballads
Never underestimate what a few talented women can do. Mars Hill University’s Rural Life Museum’s exhibit and guided tour, “Interwoven: Coverlets, Ballads and America’s Discovery of Madison County Folklife,” explores cottage industries and the history of female independence.
Power of the Press
Letterpress printing thriving in Asheville The letterpress may be more than 5 centuries old, but in Asheville, this antique printing method is downright thriving. Still, it wasn’t always this way. Lance Wille, the founder of Hand-Cranked Letterpress Co., has watched the proliferation of letterpress artists here over the last decade. Wille started printing music […]
Knotty business
Fiber Weekend at the Folk Art Center includes demonstrations, hands-on activities and a wearable art fashion show take place Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.
Rhetorical Factory opens in West Asheville
Rhetorical Factory, a recycled clothing company, will be opening its flagship store at 444 Haywood Road, in West Asheville, on Tuesday, April 29.
Smart Bets: Weaverville Art Safari
Get to know Asheville’s artistic neighbors to the north at the Weaverville Art Safari, a self-guided tour through 40 local and nationally known artists’ studios and galleries. “Weaverville is so fortunate to have so much talent,” says Cindy Ireland, Weaverville Art Safari chairperson. “Our hardworking artists not only thrive on the creative process, but we […]